Josie Starnes Obituary

Josie Ruth passed away Oct. 29 from cancer.

She was a unique and special person - cherished by all who knew her. Born in 1931, in Greeneville, she lived her 93 years to the fullest. She grew up in Baileyton and enjoyed her years at Baileyton Elementary and Baileyton High School. After losing her mother at age 12, Josie took over many of her mother's roles on the family farm, with a determined spirit. She fondly remembered good times on Depot Street - she was delighted to see the revitalization and hopes "the people come back."

She married Willie Doyle Starnes in 1948 and they lived in Greene County, Tennessee, Ohio, and Indiana. Josie lived in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1986, next door to her daughter, Debi.

She worked for many years at Greene Valley Developmental Center and loved all the residents, she took care of in the hospital unit. After her move to Atlanta, she never missed a beat and became an active member in her beloved Grant Park and Inman Park communities and Inman Park Methodist Church.

She helped with the family owned Sugar Magnolia Bed and Breakfast, taking extra good care of her guests - one gentleman wrote he "had been lovingly taken care of by Aunt Bea." Known for her love of music (especially bluegrass), her personal flair and snappy dressing (always including a beautiful hat), Josie joined the Marching Abominables Band as a dancer-helping to entertain crowds at special events and parades in Atlanta and neighboring southern states. But most of all, Josie loved and cared for her family like no one else could.

Josie was preceded in death by her mother: Minnie Mae Bowser Weems; her father: George Daryl Weems; brothers: John (Wanda) Weems and David Weems; her husband: Willie Doyle Starnes; a son: Willie Daniel Starnes; and granddaughter: Ronda Starnes Solomon.

She is survived by her daughter: Debi Starnes (James Emshoff); a granddaughter: Emily Starnes Emshoff (Andrew) Hecht; her great-granddaughter: Isla James Hecht, all of Atlanta. She is also survived by a sister-in-law: Helen Weems; a daughter-in-law: Ruby Myers Starnes; and several nieces and nephews, and their children.

James said, "If there was a category of Most Unique Person You Know, Josie would get more votes than anyone else I could imagine." Usually when asked what helped her to live such a long and active life, she said " I am a survivor... and I just kept dancing!"

Family will host visitation from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service, in downtown Greeneville.

A funeral service and burial will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Oakdale Missionary Baptist Church, in Afton.

Car procession will be from Jeffers Downtown Chapel at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Josie requested donations to Oakdale or Salem Presbyterian cemetery funds.

A Celebration of Life Service will be Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. in Atlanta beginning at Inman Park Methodist Church on Edgewood Ave and continue down the street at Sugar Magnolia.